Local teenager Rachael O’Connor is through to the live finals of The Voice, which start this weekend.

Beating off stiff competition, Rachael is now one of just three singers under the watch of coach Kylie Minogue

“It’s amazing,” she told the Journal, “It just doesn’t seem real.”

“Saturday’s performance wasn’t my best, I got through by the skin of my teeth but I’m delighted.”

The stakes are even higher now as every week four singers are sent home - one from each coach.

“I don’t what I’ll be singing next week but I’m hoping that it will be something that I know.

“The thought of singing live again is very scary but no matter what happens I’m delighted to have been able to get this far.”

A student at Limavady Grammar School, Rachael has lots of support from her teachers and fellow pupils.

Speaking after the programme, Vice Principal Kaye Henry praised the Drumsurn teenager, “Rachael has been an excellent role model and an inspiration to countless younger pupils.

“We have seen her talent blossom in many school performances as she goes from strength to strength.”

The Limavady girl has already been named by bookmakers William Hill as the favoutite to win the series and the YouTube video of her blind audition has been viewed in excess of half a million times in the last three weeks.